City Prints

I have been way off the blogging map...but I am back and want to share with you these adorable prints that I discovered from one of my favorite blogs, Jamie of All Trades.

Not only are the city prints adorable, I love the little note cards too- perfect for a house warming or shower gift. Thank you Albie Designs

What did we ever do before etsy?

perfect baby shower gift

Mini Mac Appetizers

I have been on the hunt for some easy, make ahead party appetizers and I think I have found it- three cheese mini macs. Thank you to Jenna at Eat Drink Pretty for sharing this idea. I can't imagine how the American cheese will taste in these apps, but the recipe sure does sound yummy. I can't wait to serve these at my next party.

The recipe can be found on the Food & Wine website.

Paula Deen's sons also have a killer Mini Macaroni Pie recipe...I can't figure out which one looks better...Food & Wine or Paula Deen?! I may just have to make both and have a macaroni taste off.

Click here for the Deen's brothers recipe.

Party Pom Poms

Nothing spices up a party more than some hanging pom poms. I have bought them in the past from Lilly Pulitzer and absolutely loved them, but then realized that I can make these at home...and save a penny or two...not sure if my DIY project will be as cute as Lilly's pom poms.

Click here for Martha's instructions- I really like how she has the matching mini pom pom napkin rings:

Here's another idea from the PartyPom's etsy site...not too expensive and super cute...thanks Whitney for sharing this site!

Cake Pop Madness

Here's a classic case of "now why didn't I think of that?"...these cake pops are absolutely adorable and now that I am on a bit of a hiatus with my cookies...need to start exploring some other fabulous recipes. 

We are throwing an engagement party next month and I have been trying to think of an easy, make-ahead dessert...and I think I have found my answer in the cake pop. I have ordered the fabulous Bakerella "Cake Pops" cookbook and cannot wait to take a stab at these little delights!!

Thanks Bria for sharing...love the touch of the ribbon!

Bria even coordinated the cake pops with the wedding colors....love this girl.

Stand by for my attempt at these cake pops...the cookbook is supposed to come in the mail today!

motto for the day...

here's to having a good day!

thanks trulyvera

Dish Towels

Since I am attempting to become more of a domestic diva in 2011- I need to start sprucing up my kitchen. There's no way that I can cook up all these recipes when my kitchen is drab and boring. I found these dish towels that will definitely do the trick to heat things up in my kitchen...and would look smashing on your table for a dinner party. I just love them...and etsy too of course!

John is going to love the bike napkin!! 

yet another resolution...

Write more, type less. As you all know, I am a fanatic about hand written notes...but I think it really comes down to the fact that I just love personalized stationery and have found a new obsession over at Gadabout.

check out these great notes...yes, please!

Hummus

One of my favorite things that I received this Christmas is a food processor. I have always had one of the mini processors which is fabulous for little projects, but can't handle the big daddy menu items. Further to my attempt to become more domestic and a better chef in 2011, I am trying to get as much use out of this Cuisinart as possible.


My favorite appetizer is veggies and hummus...so instead of continuing to purchase the hummus...going to embrace domestic me and make it myself.


My adorable and very talented friend Courtney just finished culinary school and definitely has a leg up on me when it comes to cooking...she's amazing! I turned to Court for some of her favorite hummus recipes and wanted to share them with you:


CAC Hummus:

2 cups canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) liquid reserved

⅔ cup tahini paste*

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus a drizzle for topping)

Juice of 2 lemons and the zest of one

3 cloves of garlic (more if you love garlic)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds

1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

Warm water if needed

In a food processor, puree the chickpeas, tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, adding a little of the reserved liquid if the mixture seems too thick; it will be slightly grainy. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate. Combine the paprika and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, drizzle the mixture over the top, and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve with pita bread triangles.

Fattet Hummus

¾ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in water to cover generously

2 large cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt

1½ cups plain yogurt, preferably Greek whole milk

¼ cup chopped fresh mint, plus a few whole leaves for garnish

¼ cup chopped Italian parsley

2 to 3 cloves garlic minced to a paste with a pinch of salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 rounds of whole wheat pita (gyro style thick pita)

1 tablespoon butter

¼ cup pine nuts

Aleppo red pepper, cayenne pepper or hot red pepper flakes to taste

Drain the chickpeas and place in a saucepan with 3 cups cold water. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, skimming any foam. Add the smashed garlic and bay leaf, over and adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until chickpeas are tender, 1 hour or more, depending on age. Remove the garlic and bay leaf, season with salt, and keep hot.

Preheat oven to 450°.

In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, chopped mint and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

Brush the pita bread with a bit of olive oil and lay on cookie sheets and bake until lightly browned and beginning to crisp. Set aside to cool.

Melt the butter in a small skillet over moderately low heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring them often, until golden brown. Keep warm.

Bread the toasted pita into smaller pieces and arrange in the bottom of a large, shallow serving bowl. Spoon the hot chickpeas over the pita along with enough of the broth to moisten the pita. If the yogurt sauce is stiff, whisk in a little of the broth to thin. Spoon the yogurt sauce over all, then top with the warm, buttery pine nuts. Sprinkle the surface with mint leaves and parsley torn into smaller pieces, and with red pepper. Serve immediately.

thanks court! ina garten has NOTHING on you!

In Need of Some Sunshine...

Yellow and Gray are the perfect solution if your room is in need of some life and color. I recently saw this Lonny post about the color combination and then soon after my friend Sam said her baby's nursery will be yellow and gray...love it. The colors continue to be calming, but with the pop of yellow- keeps that smile on your face.

what are your favorite color combinations?

Soup Made Easy

I am trying to be better about freezing leftovers, but I've got to admit...I've got a lot of work to do! It's been absolutely freezing here in San Francisco...seriously one of the coldest winters that I can remember...the perfect weather for soup. It truly is that time to whip out that crock pot and get cooking!

Here's a great idea for what to do with your soup leftovers...want just one serving? Problem solved. Thanks to The Kitchn blog!

• Ladle your soup into each section of a muffin tin. Here's the catch. Don't worry about getting a perfect mixture of broth and all the other good stuff mixed in; go ahead and make separate sections. Fill some with just broth and fill others with just the chunky stuff (noodles, veggies, meatballs, beans and so forth).
• Once frozen, you can pop them out of the tin by placing the tray in a sink filled with an inch of hot water. They should slip right out when coaxed gently with the push of a knife. They can be stored in a plastic bag in the freezer.
• Then when you're headed to work, just grab a broth cube and a "good stuff" cube. When the two melt, you'll have the right amount of everything! This also works out well for those who like more stuff than broth and vice versa.
• It's a simple trick that works out amazingly well and can allow you to have dinner or lunch in just minutes, and have it be customized to your personal tastes.

Great Finds for the Kitchen

Yes- the holiday season is over and we all are supposed to be calming down the shopping...but I just found this fabulous website full of amazing things for your kitchen...where was this site one month ago when I was looking for gifts?!  Check out Fishs Eddy and let me know if you love their stuff as much as I do.

Resolutions

I'd like to see some statistics on how many people actually keep their New Years resolutions (note: still sober over here)...so often people restrict themselves from things- no booze, no candy, no late nights...the list goes on and on...but what about making resolutions that you are going to keep? Things that are in the realm of possibility.


Thanks to the Lilly blog for posting these fabulous ideas...so good, Lilly.

Here’s some of our favorites…

Wear more colors (prints too)

Over-indulge in candy (preferably chocolate)

Drink more cocktails (after 5’oclock…swear)

Take a long lunch break (meet your friends and order carbs)

Leave work early (only a few minutes.. wink wink)

Spend time with the family (especially the kids)

Smile more often (ear to ear, all day, everyday)

Listen to music (and sing along out loud)

Be messy (creativity is seldom tidy)

Take a vacation (to somewhere fabulous & be sure to pack your Lilly)

Throw a party (complete with pink champagne & cupcakes)

Read a good book (may we suggest “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett)

Shop often (even if it’s just window shopping)

Take a spin class (but remember shopping counts as cardio too)

Most importantly resolve to BE HAPPY.

2011!!

Hi Bloggers! I have been way off the blogging map these past weeks over the holidays, but I am getting back on track and getting myself into gear in the new year. 2011 is being kicked off with sober January (well...with an exception for a couple pre-planned evenings)...going to make a resolution to get healthy and start this year off on a great note.


Since I am kicking the booze for a little while, going to try to be a bit more domestic and cook more. I have been researching some healthy and easy recipes to put on the calendar- here's one that Deliciously Organized shared and think will be just perfect for our month o' sobriety (although the recipe would probably pair nicely with a white wine)


Here's the post with the recipe...will check in and let you know how it goes when I cook it!

"Late last week I was inspired by some fresh corn and cherry tomatoes that were given to me by a friend from a local farm.  Earlier in the week, I had seen a recipe in Whole Living Magazine that I wanted to try, and I thought these ingredients would be the perfect fit.  

The recipe required parchment paper, and for some reason...cooking with it intimidated me, so I wanted to finally give it a try.  I believe their recipe called for squash or zucchini, thyme, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper, and halibut.  Although, because the halibut was $20/lb at whole foods, I decided to go with a less expensive fish and use cod {wild caught, but still less expensive}.    

If you are intimidated by parchment paper too, don't be.  It's a breeze.  I bought a precut roll, which I highly recommend.  Then, fold the paper in half, hot dog fold {tell me you remember that?} and then put corn {just cut rows off the cob} down on the left side first {if you're using the squash, do that first}, then following it with the cod {salt & pepper the cod on both sides first}, the tomatoes, thyme and then drizzle with olive oil.

Next, I folded the other side over and continued with tiny folds all around the paper, until I got this {this is after cooked that's why you see the steam}:

Bake at about 375 degrees for around 15 minutes.  Cut an opening at top being careful to not get burned by the steam. And that's it!  

ready to eat!  

Start to finish this took under 30 minutes to make...this will most definitely be added to my go-to meals list.  Can't wait to try it with chicken, salmon, etc. and try different combos.